Ground anchor

ABSTRACT

A ground anchor comprises a resistance plate consisting of some bendable sections driven slantly to a direction from a predetermined depth by the coaction of driving force and soil resistance applied thereto during driving operation so that they are set in such a manner that their maximum effective resisting surfaces may be easily directed at a right angle with the direction of the tension force imparted thereto. These bendable sections are kept straight by means of a regulating rod so as to be driven straightly inward until they reach the predetermined setting depth, and start bending at the predetermined depth, when the control of the regulating rod is released from outside at any time, so as to be inclined and driven inward to any required direction.

United States Patent Watanahe et al.

[ 51 May 16, 1972 [54] GROUND ANCHOR [72] Inventors: Hikoitsu Watanabe; Sanji Genma, both of l-chome, Ehara-cho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: Nov. 4, 1970 [21] Appl. N0.: 86,814

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 10, 1969 Japan ..44/89333 June 2, 1970 Japan ..45/46897 June 17, 1970 Japan ..45/59477 [52] US. Cl ..52/164, 52/165 [51 Int. Cl ..E02d 5/80 [58] Field oiSearch..... ..52/164,162,163, 165,155, 52/156, 157,158,159,160,108, 98

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,955,902 4/1934 Bullard ..52/160 Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. Atl0rneySaul Jecies A ground anchor comprises a resistance plate consisting of some bendable sections driven slantly to a direction from a predetermined depth by the coaction of driving force and soil resistance applied thereto during driving operation so that they are set in such a manner that their maximum effective re sisting surfaces may be easily directed at a right angle with the direction of the tension force imparted thereto. These bendable sections are kept straight by means of a regulating rod so as to be driven straightly inward until they reach the predetermined setting depth, and start bending at the predetermined depth, when the control of the regulating rod is released from outside at any time, so as to be inclined and driven inward to any required direction.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a ground anchor fixed for retaining the lower end of guy which is used for reinforcing a supporting structure such as a pole, an antenna or the like.

A conventional anchor of the type described, which is widely used now, comprises a rectangular steel resistance plate having its leading edge sharpened and a guy rod pivotably mounted upon the upper surface of the steel plate. After the driving of the resistance plate to a predetermined depth into the soil in the direction of tension applied thereto, the resistance plate is pulled back toward the ground surface through the guy rod so as to be rotated through an angle of 90, whereby the maximum effective soil hearing or resisting surface of the resistance plate may be directed substantially at a right angle with the direction of tension. In other manner the resistance plate is curved upward so as to be driven slantly into the soil during driving operation, whereby the maximum effective resisting surface of the resistance plate is directed toward the direction of the tension upon completion of the driving operation.

In the former method of driving it is only theoretically possible in respect of the structure to rotate the resistance plate through the guy rod by 90 to the direction of tension after the driving operation is completed. In other words, the resistance plate may be rotated under the condition that resistance therearound is very samll as in the air or liquid. However, the resistance plate cannot be easily rotated against the soil resistance which it is too strong in the natural soil as a result of many years compression. The larger the resistance plate is made for higher resistance, the greater the soil resistance becomes. No rotation may be made by hand at all. Even though the resistance plate could be rotated, it would produce a large cavity, which reduces the resistance against tension, in the soil as it is driven further.

In the latter method of driving the direction of the'driving force is changed successively as the resistance plate is driven slantly into the soil, and the resistance plate cannot be set at a right angle to the tension if its initial driving angle is improper. Thus the driving operation is very troublesome and difficult. To make the matter worse, the direction of the resistance plate being driven slantly is affected by the condition of the soil and /or improper driving direction with the result of producing uneven resistances against the tension.

To eliminate such defects a conventional ground anchor has a plurality of small-size resistance plates, which are easy to drive slantly and to rotate. These resistance plates are joined by hinges so as to be inclined by a required angle to any desired direction, forming a series of resistance plates. They have a sufficient resisting surface equivalent to that of a largesize resistance plate, and can be held like one plate by means of a regulating member when necessary and released from the combined state by operating the regulating member externally. Such individual resistance plates are driven straight into the soil by holding them as one plate by the regulating member until they reach a predetermined depth and are released from the combination by the regulating member from the surface of earth at the predetermined depth. Then each of the resistance plates is turned one after another at a required angle on its hinges, following the first leading plate, and driven slantly inward into the soil in such a manner that their maximum effective resisting surfaces may be directed at a right angle with the direction of tension.

In the driving method described above the resistance plates joined by hinges are driven in a plate form up to a predetermined depth, where the first plate starts to rotate with the rest, following the preceding resistance plate along the locus thereof without forming a cavity in the soil, whereby the curved surfaces of these resistance plates in successive connection can be directed properly at a right angle with the direction of tension. However, the anchor used in this method is very complicated in structure, compared with other ordinary anchors as described above, and has the disadvantage that its cost becomes high because more manufacturing processes are required for the anchor itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide an improved ground anchor, features of which are that on the surface of a resisting means shaped like a plate there are provided a plurality of hollow reinforcing members on a longitudinal center line at adequate intervals therebetween, or such similar members formed integrally with the resisting plate by any suitable method so that said resisting plate may be easily bent at desired angles in any desired direction at portions between such adjacent reinforcing members; that said reinforcing members on the resisting plate are held unbendable by inserting a regulating rod therethrough so that the resisting plate may be driven straight into the soil in a plate form for a period between the start of driving operation and the time when it reaches a predetermined depth; that the unbendable state of the resisting plate by means of said regulating rod is released by removing the regulating rod from outside when it has reached the predetermined depth or by drawing the regulating rod automatically out of the reinforcing members on the resisting plate by making use of the inertia of the regulating rod,

which is given at the time of driving operation, so that the resisting plate may be bent successively at adequate intervals and driven slantly one after another at such portions along the locus of the preceding bent section, whereby the curved surface of the resisting plate can be directed properly at a right angle with the direction of tension without forming a cavity in the soil; and that a ground anchor simple in structure, easy to drive, and high in the resistance to tension is realized.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will be better understood from the explanation of the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a ground anchor in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the same;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a driving pipe with a regulating rod;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the same;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a driving rod;

FIG. 7 to 11 are diagrams explanatory of a ground anchor in its driven state;

FIG. 12 is a front view of another embodiment of a ground anchor in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the same;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a resisting plate;

FIG. 15 is a side view of a driving pipe with a regulating rod;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the same;

FIG. 17 is a front view of a driving rod;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the same;

FIG. 19 to 23 are diagrams showing the same in its driven state;

FIG. 24 is a front view of still another embodiment of a ground anchor in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 25 is a side view of the same;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a resisting plate;

FIG. 27 is a front view of a driving pipe with a regulating rod;

FIG. 28 is a side view of the same;

FIG. 29 is a plan and a side view of a metal edge member;

FIG. 30 is a plan and a side view of a rotary tube;

FIG. 31 is a plan and a side view of a rotary tube cover;

FIG. 32 is a side view showing the operation of the rotary tube; and

FIGS. 33 to 38 are diagrams explanatory of the same in its driven state.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 3 are front, side, and perspective view of one embodiment of a ground anchor 40 of this invention.

This ground anchor 40 comprises a resisting plate 41 in a rectangular form with a sharp leading edge 41a, a pulling-up plate 42 and a pulling-up rod 43 forming a link means relative to the resisting plate, a guy rod 44, and an auxiliary rod 45.

The resisting plate 41 has a suitable number of (four in this case) separate reinforcing members 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d on the surface,-which are shaped like a semi-oval tube, disposed at adequate intervals 47a, 47b, and'47c therebetween on the longitudinal center line of the resisting plate except a small edge portion only, and fixed integrally therewith by welding or other means.

It will be understood that the resisting plate 41 thus arranged may be easily bent inward at portions between two of the reinforcing members 46a and 46b, 46b and 460, and 460 and 46d, when a bending force greater than a certain value is imparted from their back side.

In such arrangement bending interior angles between two adjacent reinforcing members 46a and 46b, 46b and 46c, and 460 and 46d are determined by their end portions which are brought to abut against each other. In other words, it is possible to limit the bending angles between the two adjacent portions as required by adequately adjusting the intervals 47a, 47b, 470 between the reinforcing members 46a and 47b, 46b and 470, and 470 and 47d respectively.

In this embodiment slits 48a and 48b of a suitable size are provided on the resisting plate 41 at right and left between the reinforcing members 46a and 46b, and 46b and 46c so that the resisting plate 14 may be bent first at the leading edge section and successively at the following resisting sections in bending operation. 1

However, such slits or long holes are not necessarily required and may be substituted for simple long recessed portions formed by pressing, or the resisting plate 41 itself may be so shaped as to become thinner and thinner from the upper to the lower side or to the leading edge, so that neither slits nor recessed portions are required at all.

End faces, opposite to each other, of the reinforcing members 46a, 46b, and 46dmay be arranged in their parallel relation. In such a case the reinforcing members 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d can abut against each other only at their top point. It is therefore preferable to out such end faces opposite to each other diagonally to the top so that they may abut fully on their inclined cross sections formed as designed.

The reinforcing member 46a nearest the leading edge on the resisting plate 41 has a closing plate 49 fixed by welding or other means inside the lower end of the reinforcing member 46a for its complete closure.

This closing plate 49 serves to prevent any earth from being pushed into the reinforcing member 46a when the resisting plate 41 is thrusted into the soil, and also serves to transmit driving power to the resisting plate 41 by receiving the power when the resisting plate 41 is driven straight.

Also on the leading edge of the resisting plate 41 is fixed an impact receiver 50 integrally by welding or other means, which extends from the resisting plate 41 to said closing plate 49 so as to make it easy to break the earth along its longitudinal center line when the resisting plate 41 is driven thereinto. On the upper side of the resisting plate 41 is provided a driving tool receiver 51, which is shaped like a channel and fixed integrally by welding or other means for stabilizing the joint of a driving tool to be described subsequently, to the resisting plate 41 in such a manner as to straddle it up to the lower half and hold the uppermost reinforcing member 46d from both sides.

On the uppennost and lowermost reinforcing members 46a and 46d are fixed supporters 52 and 53 by welding or other means for jointing the foregoing pulling-up plate 42 and auxiliary rod 45 respectively. The pulling-up plate 42 is rotatably jointed at the lower end to the supporter 52 with a pin 54, while the auxiliary rod 45 is also rotatably jointed at the lower end bent at a right angle to the supporter 53 by inserting the rod end therethrough and fixing a washer thereon.

The pulling-up rod 43 is fixed integrally by welding or other means on the upper end of the pulling-up plate 42 in such a manner as to be joined by splitting at the lower end in'alignment therewith, and has a pulling-up loop 43a formed by rounding theupper end portion. This pulling-up loop 430 is connected to a connecting loop 44a formed at one end-of the guy rod 44, which has other guy loop 441: at other end for guying any structure. In this manner the pulling-up rod 43 and the guy rod 44 are connected through such pulling-up and connecting loops 43a and 440.

On the other hand the auxiliary rod 45, which is jointed at the lower end to the supporter 53, extends upward through a combining ring 56 fixed on the pulling-up rod 43 right under the pulling-up loop 43a. The length of the auxiliary rod 45 extending upward from the combining ring 56 is almost equal to a distance between the supporters 52 and 53. The upper end of the auxiliary rod 45 is formed like a hook 57 so as to be caught by said combining ring.

For driving the ground anchor thus arranged in accordance with this invention there is employed, for example, a driving too] as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

A driving pipe 60 forming one part of the driving tool, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, has a pipe 61 of a suitable length with a top metal post 62 fixed integrally by welding or other means at the lower end, said top post having a through hole 63 of an inner diameter smaller than that of said pipe 61.

Loosely into this pipe 61 is inserted a regulating rod 65 having a driving rod receiver on the upper end, the outer diameter of which is larger than the inner diameter 63 of the top metal post 62, while the outer diameter of the regulating rod 65 is smaller than the inner diameter 63. Thus the regulating rod 65 is passed downward through the top metal post 62 as long as required. The driving rod receiver 64 fixed to the regulating rod 65 is attached at a partly cut-out portion to the lower end of a drawing-out rod 66 by welding or other means. A plate 68 with a handle 67 is fixed by welding or other means on the upper end portion of the drawing-out rod 66, which extends upward from the pipe 61. The regulating rod 65 can be taken out of the pipe 61 through the drawing-out rod 66 by pulling it upward by means of the handle 67.

A driving rod 70 forming another part of the driving tool, as shown in FIG. 6, consists of a rod 71, which is longer than the pipe 61 for the driving pipe 60. The rod 71 inserted into the pipe 61 is used to impart a striking force at the lower end to the driving rod receiver 64 or to the upper end of the regulating rod 65 by up and down motion.

On the lower surface of the rod 71 is formed a groove 72 as long as the drawing-out rod 66, which might otherwise obstruct smooth up and down movement of the rod 71 through the pipe 61.

For driving the ground anchor 40 of this invention into the soil, the pipe 61 for the driving pipe 60 is first set into the driving tool receiver 51, and the regulating rod 65 is inserted by holding the rod with the handle 67 into the pipe 61 and further into the reinforcing members 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d on the resisting plate 41. Then, the ground anchor is held upright with the leading edge 41a of the resisting plate 41 directed to any point on the ground where it must be set, as shown in FIG. 7. Now, the driving rod 70 is inserted into the pipe 61 and is moved up and down so as to apply impact through the lower end to the driving rod receiver 64 or to the upper end of the regulating rod. Under this condition the entire structure of the anchor can be driven straight and deeper into the soil without going slantly or being bent at all. The reason is that the resisting plate 41 is prevented from being inclined by means of the regulating rod 65 kept inserted and that the impact applied to the driving rod receiver 64 is transmitted from the lower end of the regulating rod 65 to the resisting plate 41 through the closing plate 49, whereby the leading edge of the resisting late 41, which is made very rigid, is directly struck and driven into the soil.

In this manner the ground anchor 40 is driven in its straight form until it reaches a predetermined depth under the ground, where driving operation is once suspended. As shown in FIG. 8, the driving rod 70 is then drawn out of the pipe 61, and the regulating rod 65 taken therefrom by means of the handle 67 so that the resisting plate 41 may be released from the control over its bending.

Then the driving rod 70 is inserted again into the pipe 61, and the driving operation is restarted. Under this condition the lower end of the driving rod 70 strikes against the upper face of the top metal post 62, and impact applied thereto is transmitted directly to the upper edge of the resisting plate 41. By cooperation of such impact and high soil resistance applied to the pulling-up plate 42 and the closing plate 49 the resisting plate 41 is subjected in a great bending force to the direction of the pulling-up plate 42. Consequently the resisting plate 41 starts bending initially to the side of the pulling-up plate 42 at a portion between the reinforcing members 46a and 46b, as shown in FIG. 9.

If the degree of bending be not controlled, the bent section would turn more and more inward as the driving operation proceeds, and finally could not go any further. For preventing such trouble, the interval 47a between the reinforcing members 46a and 46b serves to limit the degree of bending in a range where the ground anchor may be continually driven slantly into the soil as required.

Thus, as the driving operation continues, the bent section of the resisting plate 41 which already started its inclined travel tends to trail the following sections one after another along the locus of the travel. In other words the resisting plate 41 is bent first at the leading section and successively at the following sections or at portions between the reinforcing members 46a and 46b, 46b and 46c, and 46c and 46d and is driven further into the soil along the locus made by the preceding sections. Finally, as shown in FIG. 10, the resisting plate 41 is set in the soil in such a state that the plate is well bent and curved with respect to the direction of tension.

Then the pipe 60 is pulled out to the ground, and work for setting the ground anchor is completed, as shown in FIG. 1 1.

Furthermore, the ground anchor 40 of this invention thus set under the ground permits strong and stable resistance against tension by being fixed at two points, that is, at the leading edge and the upper side of the resisting plate 41 to which are connected the pulling-up rod 43 and the auxiliary rod 45, where pulling-up load applied to the guy rod 44 is shared by engagement of the hook 57 at the upper end of the auxiliary rod 45 with the combining ring 56 upon completion of the driving operation, as a result of sliding movement of the auxiliary rod 45 through the combining ring 56 along with the inclined movement of the resisting plate 41.

In the first embodiment described above and shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 the regulating rod 65 must be pulled out of the driving pipe 60 before the start of slant driving operation so that the resisting plate 41 may be kept bent and driven by releasing the control over its bending which is made by means of the regulating rod 65.

However, some soil, into which the ground anchor os this kind must be set, is composed of a layer of hard earth like a lump of concrete, which is formed naturally in a long period of time or a layer of gravel, pebbles, or stones accumulated, and some soil is extremely soft like mud.

If the ground anchor 40 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is driven into any soil having a relatively hard layer, the resisting plate 41 may be bent at two or more points at the same time when it meets any portion of such hard layer after starting its inclined travel. This must result in undesired deviation of the direction of travel, making it impossible to set the resisting plate 41 in the soil in any desired form. This may also cause separation of the resisting plate 41 from the driving pipe 60, incurring a grave danger.

On the other hand, the ground anchor 40 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be driven only as deep as shown in FIG. 10 at the deepest, and for much deeper driving some suitable means is required.

For these reasons it is preferable to use a ground anchor as a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 for driving into any soil having a layer of such hard earth or deeper drivmg.

The ground anchor 140 differs from the anchor 40 in the following points:

A resisting plate 141 has a suitable number of separate reinforcing members shaped like a semi-elliptical pipe, which are formed integrally with the resisting plate 141 by pressing the plate into such pipe form along the longitudinal center line and half-cutting the portion thus formed with suitable widths 147a, 147b, and 147c down to the surface of the resisting plate 141 into separate reinforcing members designated by 1460, 146b, 1460, and 146d. In addition a lower regulating member 174 is fixed integrally with the resisting plate 141 by welding or other means in such a manner as to span over the reinforcing member 1460 at the upper end thereof on the back flat side of the resisting plate 141.

An impact receiver 150 is fixed by welding or other means on the leading edge of the resisting plate 141, having a sharp edge along the longitudinal center line, protruding from the resisting plate 141, and being made so large as to extend over the lowermost reinforcing member 146a for serving as a supporter where a pulling up plate 142 is jointed.

An auxiliary rod 145 is connected at the lower end to the resisting plate 141 by jointing a connecting loop 145a formed by rounding the lower end portion to a supporter 153 mounted on the upper side of the reinforcing member 146d.

A channel member 175, which is shaped like a pipe of semielliptical section, and similar to and larger than the reinforcing members 146a, 146b, 146e, and 146d by their thickness, is mounted on the upper side of the resisting plate 141. The channel member 175 has double folded edges 175a formed by folding both side edges outward by the width as required with the upper and lower edges formed into inclined edges l75b and 1750 by cutting them diagonally as designed respectively. The lower end portion of said folded edges 175a is used as a mounting portion 175d, which extends downward on the resisting plate as long as required. This mounting portion 175d is attached to the upper outer surface of the reinforcing member 146d in such a manner as to hold it and is fixed thereby welding or other means with the upper portion extending from the upper side of the resisting plate 141 so that the channel member 175 may be mounted integrally therewith. In addition, an upper regulating member 176 is fixed by welding or other means integrally with the channel member 175 at the upper side in such a manner as to span the open space thereof.

Furthermore, a uniting ring 177 is fixed by welding or other means integrally with the lower end portion of the pulling-up rod 143 and has a rolling bolt 178 mounted rotatably on inner side of the combining ring 177, through which the auxiliary rod 145 is loosely passed.

A driving tool used for driving the ground anchor 40, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, into the soil is illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 18. Compared with the driving tool for striking the ground anchor 40 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, this driving tool is different in that a regulating rod in a driving pipe has no drawingout rod; that a cap member 169, which has a round hole 169a and a cut-out portion 16% communicating therewith, is mounted on the upper end of a pipe 161 and fixed therewith by welding or other means, and that a rod 171 forming a driving rod has no groove for passing any drawing-out rod and forms a drawing-out striker 173 at one end, which meets with the cut-out portion 16% of the cap member 169 on said driving pipe 160, with a hammer 172 fixed suitably on the rod 171.

For driving the ground anchor 140 as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the regulating rod 165 in the driving pipe 160 is inserted into the reinforcing members 146a, 146b, 1460, and 146d on the resisting plate 141, and the lower end of the pipe 161 is put on the channel member 175 mounted on the upper side of the resisting plate 141. Then, the impact receiver 150 fixed on the leading edge of the resisting plate 141 is held upright at a place on the ground, as shown in FIG. 19. Under this condition the driving rod 170 is inserted into the pipe 161 with the drawingout striker 173 formed at one end thereof directed upward. By moving up and down this driving rod 170, impact is applied at the lower end to the driving rod receiver 164 on the upper end of the regulating rod 165. In this manner, just as in the case of the first embodiment, the resisting plate 141 can be driven straight into the soil without bending.

When the ground anchor 140 has reached a predetermined depth under the ground, driving operation is once suspended, and the driving rod 170 is pulled out of the pipe 161. Now the same driving rod 170 is inserted again but reversely into the pipe 161, as shown in FIG. 20, in such a manner that the drawing-out striker 173 may meet with the cut-out portion 16% of the cap member 169 on the driving pipe 160. Under this condition driving operation is restarted by reciprocating the driving rod 170. Before the lower end of the driving rod 170 strikes against the driving rod receiver 164 on the regulating rod 165, the hammer 172 mounted suitably on the rod is let to strike against the cap member 169 on the pipe driving 160. In such arrangement of the driving rod 170 the impact applied so far to the driving rod receiver 164 on the regulating rod 165 is transferred to the cap member 169. Consequently the striking force applied to the cap member 169 by means of the hammer 172 is transmitted to the upper edge of the channel member 175 fixed on the upper side of the resisting plate 141 through the pipe 161. At the same time the regulating rod 165 is brought into its idle state in which the rod may move freely through the reinforcing members 1460, 146b, 1460, and 146d on the resisting plate 141, and through the pipe 161. Thus the regulating rod 165 is sent upward gradually by its self-inertia through the reinforcing members 146a, 146b, 146a, and 146d at each time when impact is applied to the cap member 169 by means of the hammer 172 on the driving rod 170. The lower end of the regulating rod 165 is instantly disengaged from the lower regulating member 174 on the resisting plate 141, which is thereby released from the control over its bending by means of the regulating rod 165. As shown in FIG. 21, similarly as in the case of the first embodiment, the resisting plate 141 starts bending now at a portion between the reinforcing members 146a and 146b toward the pulling-up plate 142 with the leading edge driven slantly.

As the driving operation by means of the hammer 172 on the driving rod 170 proceeds, the resisting plate 141 is forced to bend at other portions between the reinforcing members 146b and 1460, 146c and 146d, and 146d and the channel member 175 one after another, following the locus of the leading edge of the resisting plate 141 which already started its inclined travel, and is driven further into the soil. Finally the resisting plate 141 is set in such a state as shown in FIG. 22, where the plate is well curved and opposed to the direction of tension.

The driving rod 170 is turned from above the ground so as not to let the drawing-out striker 173 on the lower end meet with the cut-out portion 169!) on the cap member 169, and is then pulled up quickly so that the cap member 169 may be struck at the inside by the drawing-out striker 173. The driving pipe 160 is taken out of the ground by help of this striking force. Work for setting the ground anchor is finished now, as shown in FIG. 23.

In the second embodiment, as readily understood, compared with the first embodiment, the driving rod 170 is simply reversed for slant driving operation without drawing the regulating rod 165 out of the pipe 161, which is left therein, and the driving operation is kept on. Thus the resisting plate 141 is automatically released from the control of the regulating rod 165 over its bending and is bent first at the leading section and at other following sections one after another and is driven further into the soil. In this manner the resisting plate 141 and the driving pipe are held in their combined state by cooperation of the regulating rod and the upper regulating member 176 fixed on the upper edge of the channel member 175, whereby they are prevented from being separated during their driving operation. Furthermore, the resisting plate 141 can be driven deeper with its curved surface opposed properly to the direction of tension.

For convenience in setting the ground anchor of this type it is preferable to make the inclined travel of the resisting plate as smooth as possible and finish it as quick as possible. To achieve this, the resisting plate must be driven slantly in a circular arc having a diameter as small as possible.

The ground anchor 40 in the first embodiment, however, is spread in a circular arc with the combining ring as a center when pulling-up load is applied thereto, because the pullingup rod and the auxiliary rod are combined by one ring at their upper portion. As a result, the anchor is pulled up and made loose. This may cause serious damage to some structures, and the mechanical strength of the anchor itself is reduced because of gaps produced between such individual reinforcing members on the resisting plate.

In this respect the ground anchor 140 in the second embodiment can be made positively free from floating by the use of the uniting ring 177 attached to the pulling-up rod 143 in addition to the combining ring 156. The auxiliary rod 145 is passed loosely through these two rings 156 and 177 so that after setting the anchor the uniting ring 177 may become a center of the resisting plate 141 bent in a circular are, or the uniting ring may be positioned nearer to the resisting plate 14], whereby the resisting plate 141 is prevented from being spread when any pulling-up load is applied thereto.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 23 the channel member is fixed integrally with the upper side of the resisting plate 141 for achieving the purpose of driving the resisting plate 141 deeper into the soil and opposing its curved or arcuated surface properly to the direction of tension. This channel member 141 may be eliminated by using a special means provided for the driving pipe 160.

That is a ground anchor v240 of a third embodiment as shown in FIG. 24 and in the following figures. This anchor 240, compared with the ground anchor of the second embodiment, has no channel member but is provided with an upper regulating member, which is relatively easy to break down. This upper regulating member is fixed by welding or other means in parallel with the upper end of the uppermost reinforcing member 146d on the back of the resisting plate 141 in such a manner as to span the open space. The uppermost reinforcing member 146d has the upper end face cut diagonally to form an inclined end face 146. The two ground anchors are different only in these respects. A driving tool for driving this ground anchor 240 into the soil is such as shown in FIGS. 28. to 32. A pipe 161 forming the tool is similar to that in the second embodiment in that a cap member 169, which has a hole 169a and a cut-out portion 169b, is mounted on the upper end of the pipe 161 and fixed integrally therewith by welding or other means, but is quite different in that this pipe 161 is provided at the lower end with a special mechanism.

In other words, this mechanism of includes a top metal post 181, a rotary pipe 182, and a rotary pipe cover 183, which are fixed integrally with the lower end of the pipe 161 by welding or other means.

This top metal post 181 has its outer diameter made smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe 161 as much as required, as shown in FIG. 29, a sliding arcuate face 181a formed on one side of the lower end in a circular arc from the center to the outer surface thereof, and rotary grooves 181b and 18lc formed in nonparallel relation by cutting away two opposite surface portions as much as required.

The rotary pipe 182, as shown in FIG. 30, has an outer diameter equal to that of the pipe 161 with athrough hole 184 made along the longitudinal center line. This through hole 184 has a side opening as long as the rotary pipe 182, an engaging portion 182a formed on the upper end by cutting away the diameter equal to the outer diameter of the top metal post 181, leaving the side opening, and a fixing notch 182b formed at the lower end portion by cutting diagonally.

The rotary pipe cover 183 is formed by bending a metal sheet like a letter until the inner diameter becomes equal to the outer diameter of the top metal post 181, and has the upper holding part 183a and the lower setting part 183]; formed by cutting and opening the upper portion into two parallel projections for holding the top metal post 181. The upper holding part has bolt holes 185a and 185b, which meet with the rotary grooves on the top metal post 181.

The lower setting part l83b of the rotary pipe cover 183 is set on the fixing notch 182a on the upper side of the rotary pipe 182, and they are fixed integrally by welding or other means. The upper holding part 1830 of the rotary pipe cover 183 is engaged with the top metal post 181 fixed integrally with the lower end of the pipe 161 by welding or other means. Bolts 186a and 186k are inserted through the bolt holes 185a and l85b and the rotary grooves 181b and 18lc therebetween on the top metal post 181 so that the rotary pipe 182 and the rotary pipe cover 183 may rotatably connected to the top metal post 181, as shown in FIG. 32. The regulating rod 165 is inserted and passed through top metal post 181, the rotary pipe 182, and the rotary pipe cover 183.

For driving the ground anchor 240 thus arranged in the embodiment, the regulating rod 165 in the driving pipe 260 is first inserted into the reinforcing member 146a, 146b, 146e, and 146d on the resisting plate 141, while the fixing groove 182b at the lower end of the rotary pipe 182 is set on the inclined cross section 146 on the upper side of the resisting plate 141. The leading edge serving as an impact receiver 150 of the resisting plate 141 is kept upright at a place on the ground, as shown in FIG. 33. Then, the driving rod 170 is inserted into the pipe 161 and is moved up and down for driving operation. As shown in FIGS. 33 to 36, the driving rod in this case is inserted into the pipe 161 with the drawing-out striker 173 directed upward. Impact is then applied to the driving rod receiver 164 on the upper end of the regulating rod 165 with the lower end of the driving rod 170 for driving the resisting plate 141 by keeping it in its unbendable state. Before the start of slant driving operation the driving rod 170 is inserted reversely. A striking force is applied to the cap member 169 on the upper end of the rod 161 through the hammer 172 thereon, while the regulating rod 165 is moved upward by its inertia. In this way the resisting plate 141 is driven slantly into the soil. No detailed explanation is made here, because this driving operation is quite the same as in the second embodiment.

The driving operation is further continued after the resisting plate 141 has been brought into its state as shown in FIG. 36, and the upper regulating member 179 fixed on the upper back side of the resisting plate 141 must be broken by strong pressure given by the regulating 165.

Thus the resisting plate 141 is disconnected from the regulating rod 165, and consequently the rotary pipe 182 and the rotary pipe cover 183 at the lower end of the driving pipe 260 start bending, following the resisting plate 141 along the locus made by its inclined travel. Finally, as shown in FIG. 37, a series of bent sections of the resisting plate 141 are opposed properly to the direction of tension so as to produce their maximum resistance. Similarly as in the second embodiment the driving pipe 260 is taken out of the ground by applying impact to the inner side of the cap member 169 by means of the drawing-out striker 173 at the lower end of the driving rod 170 by pulling upward quickly. Now work for driving and setting the ground anchor is completed with the resisting plate 141 set as shown in FIG. 38.

Heretofore, some preferably embodiments of this invention have been described. It will be clear that many other modification may be made without from the spirit of this invention.

It is therefore to be noted that in the following claims are included all other modifications, which may produce substantially similar efiects of this invention by using substantially similar or equivalent devices or means in the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A ground anchor comprising a resisting plate, a pullingup rod joined by a hinge on the leading edge of the resisting plate, a guy rod connected to the upper end of the pulling-up rod, and an auxiliary rod connected to the upper side of the resisting plate, said resisting plate having a suitable number of separate hollow reinforcing members along a longitudinal center line on the surface thereof so as to be bent at portions between such reinforcing members to their side, said pullingup rod having a combining ring fixed integrally with the upper portion thereof, and said auxiliary rod being inserted loosely into said combining ring in such a manner that the upper end of the auxiliary rod may be caught by this combining ring.

2. A ground anchor according to claim 1 wherein such reinforcing members provided separately in a suitable number are shaped like a pipe semi-elliptical in section and are fixed in a line at adequate intervals relative to the degree of bending of the resisting plate as designed.

3. A ground anchor according to claim 2 wherein the lowermost of the reinforcing members fixed on the resisting plate along a longitudinal center line has a closing plate covering the lower opening, and a driving rod receiver is fixed on the upper side of the resisting plate so that when impact is applied to upper end of a regulating rod inserted and passed through the individual reinforcing members until the lower end of the rod reaches said closing plate, the resisting plate may be driven straight into the soil in the form of a flat plate under the control of said regulating rod over its bending, while when impact is given to a driving pipe which is set at the lower end thereof in said driving pipe receiver after removing the regulating rod, the resisting plate starts bending at portions between the reinforcing members so as to be driven slantly into the soil.

4. A ground anchor comprising a resisting plate, a pullingup rod joined by a hinge on the leading edge of the resisting plate, a guy rod connected to the upper end of the pulling-up rod, and an auxiliary rod connected to the upper side of the resisting plate, said resisting plate having a suitable number of separate reinforcing members formed like ridges semi-elliptical in section and protruding from the plate along a longitudinal center line with cuttings therebetween having widths relative to the degree of bending of the resisting plate in such a manner as to be easily bent at such cut portions between the reinforcing members, and said pulling-up rod having a combining ring fixed on the upper end integrally therewith through which said auxiliary rod is passed loosely, so that the upper end portion of the auxiliary rod may be caught by this combining ring.

5. A ground anchor according to claim 4 wherein the pulling-up rod has a uniting ring which is fixed integrally therewith on the upper end thereof and through which the auxiliary rod is passed.

6. A ground anchor according to claim 5 wherein the lowermost of the reinforcing members formed on the resisting plate along a longitudinal center line has a closing plate covering the lower opening and lower and upper regulating members are fixed at a point slightly lower than the closing plate near the back lower edge of and on the upper back side of the resisting plate respectively, in such a manner as to span the reinforcing members, so that when impact is applied to the lower end of regulating rod after insertion of the regulating rod into the individual reinforcing members down to said closing plate, the resisting plate may be driven straight into the soil in the form of a flat plate under the control of said regulating rod over its bending, while when impact is given to a driving pipe with the lower end set on the upper side of the resisting plate, the resisting plate is driven slantly and deeper into the soil, being forced to bend at portions between the reinforcing member to their side, as said regulating rod is moved up gradually by its inertia with respect to the resisting plate.

7. A ground anchor according to claim 6 wherein on the upper side of the resisting plate is fixed a channel member semi-elliptical in section and bendable to the surface along a longitudinal center line, said channel member having an upper back side of the resisting plate is so designed as to be broken off, so that when this upper regulating member has been broken by striking against the regulating rod as the resisting plate is driven slantly and deeper, said lower portion of the driving pipe may start bending for pushing the resisting plate further into the soil. 

1. A ground anchor comprising a resisting plate, a pulling-up rod joined by a hinge on the leading edge of the resisting plate, a guy rod connected to the upper end of the pulling-up rod, and an auxiliary rod connected to the upper side oF the resisting plate, said resisting plate having a suitable number of separate hollow reinforcing members along a longitudinal center line on the surface thereof so as to be bent at portions between such reinforcing members to their side, said pulling-up rod having a combining ring fixed integrally with the upper portion thereof, and said auxiliary rod being inserted loosely into said combining ring in such a manner that the upper end of the auxiliary rod may be caught by this combining ring.
 2. A ground anchor according to claim 1 wherein such reinforcing members provided separately in a suitable number are shaped like a pipe semi-elliptical in section and are fixed in a line at adequate intervals relative to the degree of bending of the resisting plate as designed.
 3. A ground anchor according to claim 2 wherein the lowermost of the reinforcing members fixed on the resisting plate along a longitudinal center line has a closing plate covering the lower opening, and a driving rod receiver is fixed on the upper side of the resisting plate so that when impact is applied to upper end of a regulating rod inserted and passed through the individual reinforcing members until the lower end of the rod reaches said closing plate, the resisting plate may be driven straight into the soil in the form of a flat plate under the control of said regulating rod over its bending, while when impact is given to a driving pipe which is set at the lower end thereof in said driving pipe receiver after removing the regulating rod, the resisting plate starts bending at portions between the reinforcing members so as to be driven slantly into the soil.
 4. A ground anchor comprising a resisting plate, a pulling-up rod joined by a hinge on the leading edge of the resisting plate, a guy rod connected to the upper end of the pulling-up rod, and an auxiliary rod connected to the upper side of the resisting plate, said resisting plate having a suitable number of separate reinforcing members formed like ridges semi-elliptical in section and protruding from the plate along a longitudinal center line with cuttings therebetween having widths relative to the degree of bending of the resisting plate in such a manner as to be easily bent at such cut portions between the reinforcing members, and said pulling-up rod having a combining ring fixed on the upper end integrally therewith through which said auxiliary rod is passed loosely, so that the upper end portion of the auxiliary rod may be caught by this combining ring.
 5. A ground anchor according to claim 4 wherein the pulling-up rod has a uniting ring which is fixed integrally therewith on the upper end thereof and through which the auxiliary rod is passed.
 6. A ground anchor according to claim 5 wherein the lowermost of the reinforcing members formed on the resisting plate along a longitudinal center line has a closing plate covering the lower opening and lower and upper regulating members are fixed at a point slightly lower than the closing plate near the back lower edge of and on the upper back side of the resisting plate respectively, in such a manner as to span the reinforcing members, so that when impact is applied to the lower end of regulating rod after insertion of the regulating rod into the individual reinforcing members down to said closing plate, the resisting plate may be driven straight into the soil in the form of a flat plate under the control of said regulating rod over its bending, while when impact is given to a driving pipe with the lower end set on the upper side of the resisting plate, the resisting plate is driven slantly and deeper into the soil, being forced to bend at portions between the reinforcing member to their side, as said regulating rod is moved up gradually by its inertia with respect to the resisting plate.
 7. A ground anchor according to claim 6 wherein on the upper side of the resisting plate is fixed a channel member semi-elliptical in section and bendable to the surface along a longitudinal center line, said channel Member having an upper regulating member fixed and spanning over the upper back side thereof so that impact may be applied to the upper end of the channel member for slant driving.
 8. A ground anchor according to claim 6 wherein the driving pipe for applying impact to the upper side of the resisting plate has the lower end portion so arranged as to be inclined to one side and the upper regulating member fixed on the upper back side of the resisting plate is so designed as to be broken off, so that when this upper regulating member has been broken by striking against the regulating rod as the resisting plate is driven slantly and deeper, said lower portion of the driving pipe may start bending for pushing the resisting plate further into the soil. 